The misshapen stuff.
Or jumping spiders all over again.
Spittle flies anyway.
Angry juices flowing.
He got angry as a pickle for being in pickle juice.
Took my grumbling.
Locked in like spice trying to add flavor to the endless voids.
These misshapen days.
I trample the stepping stones.
Still nowhere.
He blooms with disdain.
Surgical.
Tore out the train tracks.
Left behind misshapen stuff.
Angry juices.
And burning sodas to go.
I forgot what I forgotten
and I knew what I know
Life is always choices
so I am told.
If empty calories don't fill you up
why do I have a wide butt?
Your belly swells jolly
chin doubles up
and disposition is sweet
loving peanut butter cups.
Sodas are fountain
of sparkling fizzy joy
candies gorge a mountain
fantasy of every girl and boy.
All sweets any flavor
never get enough
Taste of sugar goodness
now that is the stuff
Juices overflow
into my giant mug
honey is a miracle
made by flying bugs.
Get a sugar high
jittery running around
Than fast asleep you crashed
lying on the ground.
Happy Halloween of long ago
when receiving free candies overflowed
Say Trick or Treat in scary costumes or cute
mountain of candy you earn childhood loot.
SUNDAY MORNING DRIVE*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday morning drive~
no maps, no rush,
just the open road,
Dad at the wheel, our compass.
The ribbon of road unwinding,
under blue skies, past green fields
scent of hay and honeysuckle
wafting through open windows.
Flicker of neon,
screen door's creaky welcome,
a filling station oasis,
time suspended in dusty glass.
31 cents a gallon,
a number from another time,
we choose icy delights,
sodas fizzing on our tongues.
Barns lean into the afternoon,
narrow, one lane roads
slow-motion slide show,
bygone era, simpler time.
Sunday morning
mile by unchartered mile,
nowhere together,
a destination in itself (picture below)
*Note: I published this poem as a response to Haiku Shack’s weekly prompt (Sunday mornings) on April 14, 2025. This is my original poem. haikushackprompts.substack.com/p/weekly-prompt-on-sunday-mornings
Once upon a time, it was a good day to be camping with the friends,
We stroll into the campgrounds, put the logs into the firepit,
Light the fire in the fire pit, get out our marshmallows,
We sit on the makeshift benches, we have the ingredients,
To make our Mountain Dew glow in the dark,
We exchange ghost stories as we roast our marshmallows,
We hold our soul mates hands, as we sip our sodas,
Some of our soul mates jump, startled by,
Mike’s ghost story as he performs with his body language,
the mysterious ghost of Darkwood cemetery,
our soul mates suddenly jumps,
a shooting star passes over as we gaze at the stars,
brightly shining, we wish upon the star,
as we gaze into each other’s eyes and wish upon the star,
that, we be soul mates forever,
Oh, yeah, it was a good day to be camping with the friends.
Cherry flavored sodas are such a refreshing delight
from Dr.Pepper, Pepsi, Coke, 7up and Sprite
Something about cherries that make a cola sing
tasty bubble beverage with that hint of cherry zing
RC cherry I don't see around here much
Fanta cherry and Sunkist cherry always seem out of touch
Sun Drop cherry and Sun Sip cherry brands I never see
Cheerwine must be divine for what the internet charges me
Cherry flavored sodas a smart way to make them dough
same product with a flavor hint and profits sure to grow
But I am glad they did it for a variety
cherry flavored sodas always please me.
God would eat giant marshmallows the size of mountains, I think.
He would turn up his nose at leftovers thrown down the sink.
Lollipops and popsicles would be easy for him to reach.
Lined up in his bedroom, next to his pet llama, Screech.
God would devour tuna and salmon, but leave beef to us.
Red meat is a killer, he confides to his servant, Gus.
He loves key lime pie, goes to Florida incognito to buy it.
Was in line next to you yesterday, please don’t have a fit.
German chocolate cake with coconut icing is a favorite of His.
He drinks twenty-two cream sodas daily, if they have extra fizz.
God is a sweet-eater, he loves sugar, and honey.
Salt is also a favorite; he buys potato chips when he finds money.
Kicking stones is one way to pass time
Other times will be riding the bike
There are many ways that you can find
Take a walk through town and see the signs
Then going out on some friendly hike
Hanging with friends after the bell ring
Then playing some sports shortly after
And go to see the newest showing
Having sodas, popcorn, gum chewing
And just have fun, joking and laughter
Sometimes the circus follows the fun
kids go crazy, parents hysterics
it's a joyful time for everyone
reasons and purpose that they all come
laughter clowns caused ... just silly antics.
There's a park near town where fun is found
and a swimming pool for fools like us
a park, a pool, and a spacious ground
play soccer, football, or play around
a place of Arithmetic, A-Plus.
Maybe it was that last biscuit layered with butter and jam
or could it have been those sodas only around nine cans
Never just one bucket of extra crispy southern fried chicken
could make you feel bloated and heading to the can
Never those mashed potatoes or drinking gravy from a cup
probably that single green bean when I knew I had enough
Ears and ears of corn so sweet and buttery to the taste
curly fries drowned in ketchup smeared all over my face
Only a couple wedges of corn bread heavy with butter
and that macaroni and cheese just one serving than another
Fried okra and cabbage with lots of bacon and diced ham
those savory baked beans swimming in molasses man oh man
And a pitcher of brewed sweet ice tea with sugar from sugar cane
now using artificial sweeteners or corn syrup would be insane
And for dessert a hot Dutch apple pie with ice cream a la mode
capped off with chocolate syrup mixed in that hot cup of joe
Such a light lunch so why do I feel so overstuff
that extra large pizza for dinner will just have to be enough.
Diet green tea has helped me kick the soda habit
flavors fun taste buds go yum smooth and sweet
it's a healthy treat
I can drink one with sodas it's always more
it satisfies me and quenches my thirst
with flavors to savor that give you a wow burst
Love pineapple mango and citrus too
looking for watermelon but mixed berry true
duet tea with vitamin C
Is it healthier than soda sure
on hot summer days it is the cure
icy cold with flavors bold nothing else to be told
Get the bottles don't see cans
at least not from my favorite brand
diet green tea a drink to savor
now in so many tasty flavors.
A
Saying that's been around forever
Where it came from I haven't a clue
There's many phrases just like this one
So familiar to both me and you
PENNY
Is a word not heard much these days
Its value's much less than a cent
We'd used to get a big bag full of candy
At the store it was a big event
FOR
Many years its value has decreased
There's a rumour it'll not longer exist
Where's this technological age leading us
The good old days I surely do miss
YOUR
Thoughts are surely “what an old geezer”
He can't keep up with the times
But us old guys lived a much simpler life
For those good old days I still pine
THOUGHTS
Of sodas, ice cream and lollipops
Linger in the depth of my being
Tears can be seen trickling down my cheek
A warm sentimental old feeling
The hens from our small, urban farm,
Had wild idea, caused great fright:
Escape their pen, come to no harm,
See a show, without a blight.
With feathers ruffling at benight,
They made plans and added some smarm,
Darkened room, their intended site,
The hens from our small, urban farm.
They marched single file full of charm,
Crazy chicks, on a daring plight,
Ignoring grumbles from their tharm,
Had wild idea, caused great fright.
Forged ahead and ready to fight,
Broke their fence in one clucking swarm,
Accomplished task, without desight:
Escape their pen, come to no harm.
Sodas in beaks, seated disarm,
Screen flashing, their eyes all alight,
Snacks in wings, no need for alarm,
See a show, without a blight.
A hot buttered popcorn, their right,
They'd wielded fowl mettle from dorm,
Hid their combs to avoid incite,
They also did get their wings warm,
Small, urban farm.
March 16, 2023
Double The Fun Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Joseph May
Fairy
If you dare trip to the woods tonight
You will have the best time of your lives
For down in the woods beneath moonlight
Expect a spectacular surprise.
As every teddy bear who’s around
Will surely be there, don't miss it
There’s a fairy joining the picnic
All are welcome to come and visit.
It's on stroke of last midnight bell chime
From the sky fairies set out to fly
Our fairy will be pleased to greet you
Teddies and fairies, grand gals and guys.
The fairy ballerina Nina
Of dancing will never become bored
The teddy bears love her to perform
She’s amused how with paws they applaud.
It will be a joviality
Goodies to eat and sodas to drink
Focus on the fairy constantly
As fairies fly off swift as a blink.
*+*+* +*
18th February 2023
Writing Challenge -F Words Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France
Word used - no.6 Fairy
For sixteen years I did not drink a can of carbonized soda.
Then I remembered how much I used to like cream soda.
I asked my husband to bring some home from the store.
This was the beginning of my intense sugar addiction.
I now drink two to three cream sodas a day.
Some cream soda cans are worth almost two hundred calories.
The ones I drink are worth two hundred and ninety calories each.
I make no apologies for my addiction; it has sweetened my life.
I need the satisfaction of a cold carbonated cola
it smooths my stomach with a burp, love that soda
I drink diet caffeine free don't need empty calories
Like the Coca Cola gold and white label Pepsi
Try to get the Dr. Pepper one is an impossibility
Sometimes I just want the fun and flavor of a bubbly
those bubbles tickle your nose and make a happy tummy
Diet fruit flavors and the clear lemon limes
are almost all caffeine free for bubbly time
A doc told me that caffeine could trigger my gout
so now caffeine I can gladly live without
Sure I drink decaffeinated coffees and teas
And water is always a way to stay healthy
I need the happiness you get with an ice cold cola
so allow me my caffeine free diet sodas
Last night my friend visited a haunted house
Not brave enough to join him, I felt like a louse,
I stayed home and watched a funny comedy
While fleeing a goblin, he sprained his knee.
I ate snacks, drank sodas, and gained a pound
He said zombies and ghosts were all around,
He made his way through man-eating plants
Had I been there, I would have sh*t my pants!
I told him I would’ve died from a heart attack,
He tried to take pictures, but it was pitch black,
I did not care to see puddles of oozing slime
I told him I’d look at his pictures another time.
Written October 16, 2022
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